No, money can’t make you, but money can allow you — if you use it well.

Jacob, forgive me if you’re written about this topic before (I didn’t spend too much time searching your site), but do you have any thoughts on self defense? i.e. owning a firearm? Many who pursue a similar type of independence as you do often are big supporters of gun ownership (including me).

“If money could make me think more carefully about how my actions impact future generations”

Well if we were forced to pay for the true cost of manufacturing items, I think it would make many stop and think and make better choices.

Also I think money does help in all those endeavors to some extent. As Chris mentioned though, allows is more the correct word. After all, money is really just an intermediary for the value of time. Money can allow you the time to do things, and allow you to trade for someone else’s time to assist you with your goals. If I can work and earn enough in one year to live for 10, then haven’t I ‘bought’ that 9 years of time?

Many citizens go out and buy a gun these days due to the signs of the times, and also of watching the news and internet reading. Hence, higher gun prices and scarce ammunition in the stores. Some fear the government will ban guns altogether in the future.
A gun can be purchased or traded for if you search them out. You could buy an automatic “hand cannon” or a .22 pistol. Rifle or shotgun. There are as many opinions on the proper personal defense gun as their are people stating the opinions. My own personal favorite is the M1911A1 .45 Cal Colt Automatic, of which I have several. Most people feel the need to “do” something on defense in these troubling times, and I think rightly so. In addition to a gun, other things could be considered:

1. Analyze the crime rate in your surrounding area. If high/dangerous/increasing daily, consider relocating somewhere safer. Yes, I know, your job is here.

2. Perform careful security checks on your home or living space. Locks, windows, doors, lighting, etc. Improve it if possible.

3, Do not live a highly predictable schedule on a daily basis. Change things a bit on travel to and from work. Times departed and arrived back home. Routes you take. Be watchful of those watchful of your activities.

4. Occasionally walk your own property to look for signs of things not quite right. Fences, gates, grown up areas need cleaning out, trees trimmed, and again lighting. Make repairs or improvements. Also be watchful in the hours of darkness. But do not become paranoid as this decreases the results of your efforts.

Get that gun if you think you need it, but ONLY if you learn to use it with confidence. That means hours of target practice, loading, unloading, cleaning it, gun safety lessons, locking it properly from children, and knowing your plan to HAVE it when you NEED it. Remembering always that “unloaded” guns make the gun no more than a rock or club. But the old saying is that UNLOADED guns are the ones that kill by accident. Guns yes—and other physical security plans, very much yes.

Finally, totally familiarize yourself with several legal court cases involving a citizen who defended his home and property and in the process killed someone. Get a feel for what will happen to you when you have to do that. See if you can do all the right things if defending your home with a gun, and know the law as it pertains to self defense in several situations.

Here’s hoping you never have to face anything like it!!!!

Having enough money to give you all the time you need to explore your passions and improve yourself can make you a better person . . . if you are the kind of person that wants to be a better person already.

Money buys freedom. Freedom affords happiness. I’m living this.